Abstract: A device for coating a metal strip substrate includes a guiding apparatus for guiding the strip substrate along a movement path. A first coating apparatus coats a first main side of the strip substrate with an electrostatically charged coating powder which is in a fluidized state. The first coating apparatus is arranged under a first path section of the movement path. A second coating apparatus coats a second main side of the strip substrate with an electrostatically charged coating powder which is in a fluidized state. A redirecting unit redirects the strip substrate between the first and the second coating apparatus in such a way that the strip substrate in a second path section travels oppositely to the strip substrate in the first path section. The second coating apparatus is arranged at least partly geodetically under the second path section.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a jacketed metal line is detailed herein. The method of manufacturing a jacketed metal line can include roughening an outer surface of a metal core of the line. An insulating polymer layer can be applied to the metal core, and the insulating polymer layer can include a reinforcing additive comprising: graphite, carbon, glass, aramid, short-fiber filled PolyEtherEtherKetone, mircron-sized polytetrafluoroethylene, or combinations thereof. The roughened metal core can then be exposed a heat source for at least partially melting the polymer layer; and the partially melted polymer layer and insulated roughened metal core can be ran through a set of shaping rollers.

Abstract: An Al2O3-coated co-deposit including an Ni-based alloy substrate, an exterior layer present on a surface of the substrate, wherein the exterior layer comprises NiCrAlY or NiCoCrAlY particles with a diameter of 0.5-50 ?m, Ni nanoparticles with a diameter of 0.1-10 nm in the form of a matrix, and Al2O3 particles that are present on the exterior surface of the exterior layer. A method for manufacturing the Al2O3-coated co-deposit whereby a substrate is immersed into a solution comprising at least one dissolved nickel salt, NiCrAlY or NiCoCrAlY particles, and Al particles in an electrochemical cell, DC current is pulsed into the electrochemical cell to electrodeposit Al, Ni, and NiCrAlY or NiCoCrAlY particles onto the substrate to form a deposited layer, and the substrate comprising the deposited layer is calcined to oxidize the Al particles and form the Al2O3-coated co-deposit.

Abstract: Methods of reversing the tone of a pattern having non-uniformly sized features. The methods include depositing a highly conformal hard mask layer over the patterned layer with a non-planar protective coating and etch schemes for minimizing critical dimension variations.

Abstract: A powder hopper is provided with a low turbulence zone for supplying powder to a spray gun. The low turbulence zone is defined by a baffle inside the hopper with the low turbulence zone being within a volume of the baffle, and an annular zone between the baffle and the hopper is used to bulk feed powder into the hopper. The low turbulence zone may alternatively be in the annular zone with powder added to the volume of the baffle. One preferred application for this hopper is in connection with the use of fine powder coating materials to coat the interior of small diameter cans.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process and apparatus for preparing coated particles, in particular a process for preparing particles that are coated with small particles using electrospraying. The coated particles produced according to the present invention find use for instance as catalysts or as pharmaceuticals. According to the invention a host particle is contacted in a gas stream where it is allowed to contact with one or more moving tribocharging particles, thus providing a charged host particle, which is subsequently contacted with charged guest particles in an electrospraying step.

Abstract: A coated substrate and methods for making the coated substrate are disclosed. The method entails depositing an undercoating over at least a portion of the substrate; fluidizing a precursor for nanoparticles; and forcing the fluidized precursor toward the substrate to coat the undercoating with a layer of nanoparticles. Coated substrates according to the present invention exhibit improved durability and increased photocatalytic activity.

Abstract: Powder coating compositions are comprised of particles having a diameter of from about 20 ?m to about 250 ?m comprising: (1) a hydroxyl- and/or carboxyl-terminated polyester having a number average molecular weight of from about 1000 to about 6000 and a dynamic shear viscosity of less than 5000 cPs; (2) from about 1% to about 50% by weight of the polyester of a cross-linking agent capable of reacting with the terminal groups of the polyester and wherein the powder coating composition has a density of from about 0.95 g/cm3 to about 1.8 g/cm3. These compositions cure rapidly and provide coatings having superior physical-mechanical properties. The powder coating compositions can be applied by various methods but are particularly useful for thermal spray application methods.

Abstract: Biocompatible coatings for implantable medical devices are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention provide methods for coating an object with a biocompatible coating wherein the device is suspended using a flowing gas during the coating process. Embodiments of the invention provide tropoelastin coatings and methods of creating tropoelastin coatings for implantable medical devices. Optionally, the biocompatible coating can be a drug eluting coating.

Abstract: A method of trapping a charged particle. The method includes providing a planar substrate having a conductive surface thereon, the conductive surface having at least one non-conductive region. The method also includes applying a solution to the conductive surface, the solution comprising at least one charged particle. The method further includes applying a voltage of a threshold level to the conductive surface. The method also includes, in response to the voltage, generating an electrostatic field in the solution adjacent to a boundary between the conductive surface and the non-conductive region. The method also includes setting the threshold level of voltage to result in a strength of the electrostatic field sufficient to prevent the particle from crossing the electrostatic field.

Abstract: A process for applying an electrostatic coating to a profile in-line, the method including the steps of forming a profile, applying a primer composition to the profile, the primer composition including at least one halogen, halogen salt, halogen complex or mixture thereof and at least one carrier and electrostatically applying a coating composition while the primer composition is wet.

Abstract: A cylindrical body is produced which is composed of a fiber structure with a basis weight of 1-50 g/m2 and having a diameter of 0.5-50 mm and a bellows-shaped section, wherein the crest-to-crest spacing of the bellows-shaped section is no greater than 2 mm and the crest-to-valley depth of the bellows-shaped section is 0.01-1 mm; collagen is added to the cylindrical body to produce a composite including the cylindrical body and collagen.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process and apparatus for preparing coated particles, in particular a process for preparing particles that are coated with small particles using electrospraying. The coated particles produced according to the present invention find use for instance as catalysts or as pharmaceuticals. According to the invention a host particle is contacted in a gas stream where it is allowed to contact with one or more moving tribocharging particles, thus providing a charged host particle, which is subsequently contacted with charged guest particles in an electrospraying step.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for forming a three-dimensional polymer based part including a die tool having a specified shape and size and exhibiting an exposed polymer adhering surface corresponding in configuration to a polymeric based part to be created. A volume holding bin supports a three-dimensional article including at least one exposed and pattern defining surface. A volume of a granulated polymer material is deposited into the bin and around the article. A sub-volume of the material adheres to and forms a hardened layer upon the exposed pattern defining surface, a corresponding part created having a specified thickness and matching configuration.

Abstract: A powder hopper is provided with a low turbulence zone for supplying powder to a spray gun. The low turbulence zone is defined by a baffle inside the hopper with the low turbulence zone being within a volume of the baffle, and an annular zone between the baffle and the hopper is used to bulk feed powder into the hopper. The low turbulence zone may alternatively be in the annular zone with powder added to the volume of the baffle. One preferred application for this hopper is in connection with the use of fine powder coating materials to coat the interior of small diameter cans.

Abstract: A powder supply system for a powder-coating installation, especially a parts painting installation using electrostatic powder, according to the invention, comprises a tank designed to contain the powder, means for feeding powder into the tank, means for injecting compressed air into the bottom of the tank in order to fluidize the powder, and an exit pipe in which the powder is entrained by the air from the tank, this pipe being connected to at least one powder using device situated at a distance, in particular a spray gun. The system also includes means for reducing the pressure in the tank below that of the feed means in order to fill the tank with powder.

Abstract: A method of trapping a charged particle. The method includes providing a planar substrate having a conductive surface thereon, the conductive surface having at least one non-conductive region. The method also includes applying a solution to the conductive surface, the solution comprising at least one charged particle. The method further includes applying a voltage of a threshold level to the conductive surface. The method also includes, in response to the voltage, generating an electrostatic field in the solution adjacent to a boundary between the conductive surface and the non-conductive region. The method also includes setting the threshold level of voltage to result in a strength of the electrostatic field sufficient to prevent the particle from crossing the electrostatic field.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for forming a coating on a substrate using a tribo-charging electrostatic fluidized bed process; characterized in that a powder coating is used which has a particle size distribution such that a) d(v,90)?42.5 ?m, and b) i) the percentage of particles <10 ?m in size is ?12% by volume, and/or ii) [d(s,90)÷d(s,10)]2?3.5, [d(s,90)?7]d(s,90) being greater than 7 ?m and d(s,90) and d(s,10) being measured in microns.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a polyamide powder, which includes polyamide particles having a median grain size d 50 of from 20 to 90 ?m, a content of fines <5 ?m of below 1% by weight, and at least 75% by weight of spherical particles in which all three spatial axes x, y and z of the individual particles have the same dimensions to within ±10%. Other embodiments of the invention provide a process for making and using the powder, and articles coated articles obtained thereby.

Abstract: Nanofibers are manufactured while preventing explosions from occurring due to solvent evaporation. An effusing unit (201) which effuses solution (300) into a space, a first charging unit (202) which electrically charges the solution (300) by applying an electric charge to the solution (300), a guiding unit (206) which forms an air channel for guiding the manufactured nanofibers (301), a gas flow generating unit (203) which generates, inside the guiding unit (206), gas flow for transporting the nanofibers, a diffusing unit (240) which diffusing the nanofibers (301) guided by the guiding unit (206), a collecting apparatus which electrically attracts and collects the nanofibers (301), and a drawing unit (102) which draws the gas flow together with the evaporated component evaporated from the solution (300) are included.

Abstract: A method and system for modifying a drug delivery polymeric substrate for an implantable device, such as a stent, is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for creating coatings composed of a single material or a composite of multiple materials, beginning with ESC to deposit the base layer and then using other methods for the binding step beyond CVI. Also, for certain materials and applications, some pre-processing or pre-treatment of the coating materials is necessary prior to deposition in order to achieve a satisfactory coating. This application discloses methods for pre-deposition treatment of materials prior to ESC deposition. It also discloses methods for post-processing that provide additional functionality or performance characteristics of the coating. Finally, this application discloses certain apparatus and equipment for accomplishing the methods described herein.

Abstract: A method for sinter coating a work-piece is disclosed, the work-piece having at least two sections of different surface-related heat capacities. The method includes a first step of pre-heating the work-piece to a first temperature that is higher than a fusion temperature of a sinter coating material. The method also includes a step of rapidly heating of the work-piece to a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature. However, the rapid heating step is halted before the temperature of the work-piece section with the greater surface-related heat capacity matches the second temperature. The work-piece then has a subsequent step of application of the sinter material to the work-piece.

Abstract: A robotic painting system includes an applicator, a first paint metering device in fluid communication with the applicator, a second paint metering device in fluid communication with the paint applicator, and a paint supply in fluid communication with each the paint metering devices to fill at least one of the paint metering devices with a desired amount of paint, wherein each of the paint metering devices is electrostatically isolated from the paint supply, and wherein a color change time and a paint waste are minimized and a cleaning operation of the system is optimized.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of functionalizing a powdered substrate. The method comprises the following steps, which method comprises passing a gas into a means for forming excited and/or unstable gas species, typically an atmospheric pressure plasma or the like and treating the gas such that, upon leaving said means, the gas comprises excited and/or unstable gas species which are substantially free of electric charge. The gas comprising the excited and/or unstable gas species which are substantially free of electric charge is then used to treat a powdered substrate and a functionalizing precursor in a downstream region external to the means for forming excited and/or unstable gas, wherein neither the powdered substrate nor the functionalizing precursor have been subjected to steps (i) and (ii) and wherein said functionalizing precursor is introduced simultaneously with or subsequent to introduction of the powdered substrate. Preferably the method takes place in a fluidized bed.

Abstract: An aqueous electrodeposition coating composition comprising a cathodically electrodepositable binder, the binder comprising a phosphorylated resin and a carboxyl group separated by from 2 to 4 carbons from an ester group, provides corrosion protection equivalent to that obtained by the conventional phosphate pretreatment-electrodeposition coating process.

Abstract: A thin-film phosphor layer can be formed by an improved deposition method involving: (1) forming a phosphor powder layer that is substantially uniformly deposited on a substrate surface; and (2) forming a polymer binder layer to fill gaps among loosely packed phosphor particles, thereby forming a substantially continuous layer of thin film.

Abstract: A milling process for the preparation of fine-particled polyarylene ether ketone comprises milling a porous polyarylene ether ketone having a BET surface area of more than 1 m2/g.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for mixing and gentle transport and transfer of powders to substrates.

Abstract: A method for applying particles in a pattern to a substrate, either directly or by use of an intermediate tool, by electrokinetic or electrostatic means by exposing the substrate to particles in a fluid medium to electrokinetically or electrostatically deposit the particles onto the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for forming a coating on a substrate using a tribo-charging electrostatic fluidised bed process; characterised in that a powder coating is used which has a particle size distribution such that a) d(v,90)?42.5 ?m, and b) i) the percentage of particles <10 ?m in size is ?12% by volume, and/or ii) [d(s,90)÷d(s,10)]2?3.5, [d(s,90)?7] d(s,90) being greater than 7 ?m and d(s,90) and d(s,10) being measured in microns.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the mixing and gentle transport and the transfer of powders to substrates wherein the powder particles are first charged by friction in the presence of magnetic particles and then transported by means of a fluidized bed and optionally one or more mixing rolls and then transferred and applied to a substrate by means of an electric field between a brush drum and a substrate drum carrying said substrate, characterized in that the mixing and the transport of the powder particles and the magnetic particles are carried out by means of a boiling bed.

Abstract: According to a method for forming a coating system on a turbine engine component substrate that comprises a nickel-based superalloy substrate having at least one refractory metal included therein, a nickel-based layer is formed on the substrate, the nickel-based layer comprising at least one active material selected from the group consisting of elemental silicon and a silicon compound. The at least one active material is then diffused into the substrate. An yttrium-modified platinum aluminide bond coating, or a MCrAlX bond coating, may be then formed over the active material-modified nickel-based layer.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for forming a coating on a substrate, including establishing a fluidised-bed having a fluidising gas and a powder coating composition, immersing the substrate wholly or partly in the fluidised bed, the substrate being either electrically isolated or earthed, providing an electrically conductive electrode, to which a voltage is applied, positioned to influence the extent to which charged particles adhere to a region of the substrate, withdrawing the substrate from the fluidised-bed and forming the adherent particles into a continuous coating over at least part of the substrates. The apparatus is arranged and the process is conducted such that the maximum potential gradient existing in the fluidised bed is below the ionisation potential of the fluidising gas.

Abstract: A process for forming a coating on a substrate, including the steps of effecting tribostatic charging of a body of powder by establishing a fluidised-bed of the body of powder in a fluidising chamber at least a part of which is conductive, applying a voltage to the conductive part of the fluidising chamber, immersing a substrate which is electrically non-conductive or poorly conductive, either electrically isolated or earthed, wholly or partly in the fluidised bed, withdrawing the substrate from the fluidised-bed and forming adherent particles of the powder into a continuous coating over at least part of the substrate.

Abstract: A composition containing from 88 to 99.99% by weight of a polyamide, a compound of a polyamide and mixtures of these, and from 0.01 to 0.25% by weight of a flow aid where the drying loss from the flow aid after 5 days of conditioning at a relative humidity of 95% is less than or equal to 1%, determined by ISO 787/2.

Abstract: The invention concerns to the use of a powder comprising 99.95 to 95% of at least one polyamide and 0.05 to 5% of at least one silane for coating metals. This powder may be prepared by simple dry blending of the constituents. The silane can also be added to the molten polyamide in a mixing device and the resulting product reduced to powder. The addition of silane makes it possible to significantly improve electrostatic application by preventing a substantial portion of the powder from falling off during the electrostatic discharge which follows application, while providing lasting adhesion between the coating and metal. Advantageously, the silane is chosen from aminopropyltriethoxysilane and aminopropyltrimethoxysilane. The invention also concerns a method of coating an object with a film resulting from melting a thin layer of the powder.

Abstract: A process for forming a coating on a conductive substrate, including the steps of: establishing a fluidised-bed of a powder coating composition, thereby effecting tribostatic charging of the powder coating composition, the fluidised-bed including a fluidising chamber at least a part of which is conductive, applying a voltage to the conductive part of the fluidising chamber, immersing the substrate wholly or partly in the fluidised bed, whereby charged particles of the powder coating composition adhere to the substrate, the substrate being either electrically isolated or earthed, withdrawing the substrate from the fluidised-bed and forming the adherent particles into a continuous coating over at least part of the substrate.

Abstract: A process of retaining fine adsorbent particles such as carbon material or APS silica gel in the micro-cavities of a shaped fiber comprises the steps of continuously conveying a shaped fiber with micro-cavities to a charging arrangement where the fiber is electrostatically charged. The electrostatically charged fiber is then drawn through a reservoir of the fine adsorbent particles. As the fiber passes through the reservoir the fine particles adhere to the fiber and the micro-cavities thereof. Any excess particles are removed from the fiber outside the reservoir. Subsequently the shaped fiber loaded with fine adsorbent particles is collected for use in filter applications of one type or another such as cigarette filters, for example.

Abstract: An electrostatic powder coating apparatus including a housing with an interior coating area for receiving a workpiece. The interior coating area includes a vortex inducing surface and a pressurized air input device directs air against the surface to form a swirling pattern of air around the workpiece. A powder introducer directs charged powder into the swirling pattern of air and the powder is then electrostatically attracted to the workpiece. The powder introducer may be a powder fluidizing bed disposed in the housing or other suppliers, such as electrostatic powder spray guns. In alternative embodiments, vortex generators in the form of tubular structures connected proximate the housing inlet and outlet have tangential ports for introducing positive pressure air or inducing vacuum in the tubular structures.

Abstract: The use of electrostatic impregnation to load materials such as binders and flavors onto substrates such as fibers and medical devices is disclosed. Substrates loaded with materials such as binders and flavors, wherein the materials are loaded on the substrates via electrostatic impregnation are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coating fibers shaped as fiber strands (roving and mats) using a fluidized bed technique, wherein (i) the desired composition of the individual coating constituents is directly applied from the fluidized bed without previous compounding and (ii) the individual coating constituents contained in the fluidized bed are additionally mixed in the mass so that dissociation of individual constituents is substantially avoided. The invention also relates to a device for implementing the method.

Abstract: A method for coating a golf ball, including the steps of providing a golf ball component; providing a polymeric material; creating a particulate from the polymer material; charging at least one of the component or the particulate; fluidizing the polymer particulate; and coating the golf ball component with a thin layer of the polymer material by placing the golf ball component within the fluidized particulate.

Abstract: A method for coating a golf ball, including the steps of providing a golf ball component; providing a polymeric material; creating a particulate from the polymer material; charging at least one of the component or the particulate; fluidizing the polymer particulate; and coating the golf ball component with a thin layer of the polymer material by placing the golf ball component within the fluidized particulate.

Abstract: A method of powder coating a workpiece in a housing having a powder coating area with a workpiece travel path and an interior wall surface sloped around at least a portion of the workpiece travel path includes moving air and powder in the powder coating area along at least a portion of the sloped interior wall surface. As a result, a swirling flow pattern of the air and powder is produced around at least a portion of the workpiece travel path. The workpiece is conveyed along the workpiece travel path, and powder is deposited from the swirling flow pattern onto the workpiece along the portion of the workpiece travel path around which the interior wall slopes.

Abstract: A process for forming a coating on a conductive substrate, including the steps of: establishing a fluidised-bed of a powder coating composition, thereby effecting tribostatic charging of the powder coating composition, the fluidised-bed including a fluidising chamber at least a part of which is conductive, applying a voltage to the conductive part of the fluidising chamber, immersing the substrate wholly or partly in the fluidised bed, whereby charged particles of the powder coating composition adhere to the substrate, the substrate being either electrically isolated or earthed, withdrawing the substrate from the fluidised-bed and forming the adherent particles into a continuous coating over at least part of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for creating photographic-quality prints and prints produced by these methods are disclosed. The prints generally comprise three layers: a transparent carrier; an image, and a particle-based undercoat. The transparent carrier comprises a substrate for receiving an image. The image can be produced by inkjet, electrostatic, or other imaging methods, including reverse printing methods. The particle-based undercoat layer is applied to the image containing side of the transparent carrier. Also disclosed is an apparatus for producing said prints by methods of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for creating photographic-quality prints and prints produced by these methods are disclosed. The prints generally comprise three layers: a transparent carrier; an image, and a particle-based undercoat. The transparent carrier comprises a substrate for receiving an image. The image can be produced by inkjet, electrostatic, or other imaging methods, including reverse printing methods. The particle-based undercoat layer is applied to the image containing side of the transparent carrier. Also disclosed is an apparatus for producing said prints by methods of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for coating a golf ball comprising the steps of providing a golf ball component; providing a polymer material; creating a polymer particulate; fluidizing the polymer particulate; placing the golf ball component within the fluidized particulate; and fluidized coating the golf ball component with a thin layer of the polymer material.

Abstract: An electrostatic fluidized bed powder coating apparatus including powder coating structure, such as a coating enclosure, hood or booth, and a powder fluidizing bed operatively associated with an electrostatic charging device. An enclosed powder accumulator is provided for collecting excess powder from the powder coating structure. A vacuum pump communicates between the powder coating structure and the powder accumulator and is operable by a source of compressed air for forming and controlling a cloud of powder emanating from the fluidizing bed and for transferring excess powder from the powder coating structure to the powder accumulator. In the preferred embodiment, the accumulator includes a cyclone housing. A powder reclaim feeder is disposed below and in communication with the cyclone housing and further communicates with a new powder feeder.